Message from Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdou to the Greek diaspora for October 28translated

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis M. Loverdos, sends a message to the Greek diaspora for the celebration of the national anniversary of October 28, in which he states:  Greek men and women,

Dear compatriots,

86 years ago, at dawn on October 28, 1940, Greece was called upon to respond to Mussolini's ultimatum, which demanded its immediate surrender and neutrality.

The answer was "No". A small word, whose historical weight continues to make all Greeks proud. This word encapsulates the decision of an entire people to defend their freedom and dignity, knowing that this choice would come at a heavy price.

"No" was written on the mountains of Pindos with the blood of our soldiers. Greece responded with "Fire in the lawless fire", as our great poet Odysseus Elytis wrote, in the "Heroic and mournful song for the lost lieutenant of Albania".

But it was also written in the homes and hearts of the people, to the women who in the difficult conditions of the war carried supplies to the front, to the families who experienced the agony, absence and loss.

"No" became a strong wind, which…